Truth and Action Roundup 11.21.25

View this email in your browser Welcome to the Truth and Action Roundup, your reliable weekly source for information, inspiration, and opportunities for action during the second Trump administration.  Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up here to continue receiving it. It is November 21, 2025. As we approach Thanksgiving and the close of yet another liturgical year, we reflect on the months behind us and what lies ahead. While efforts to impose a white Christian nationalist version of society persist, we have also seen people band together to care for and defend each other. In Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and countless communities across the country, people are organizing through direct action, mutual aid, lobbying, and legal activities. We are especially grateful for the religious leaders who have been leading in the resistance against the policies and actions of the Trump Administration. In both large and small ways, from Pope Leo XIV and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ statements demanding that we treat people with humanity and dignity, to ministers, imams, and rabbis organizing vigils, bearing witness, and defending communities across the country.   These efforts have been made alongside people across society. We’ve seen millions of people take to the streets to protest attacks on our democracy. We’ve also seen individuals come together to protect neighbors and loved ones, demanding that federal agents leave their communities. It is in each of these actions that we find our gratitude and hope in this moment. - Rev. Moya Harris and Chad Stanton, Sojourners In the News This week, we observed the continued overreach of the Trump Administration in its conduct and the President’s statements and actions, although there were signs of pushback in Congress: This week, Trump revealed plans to remove federal transit funding and eliminate the Department of Education, despite outsized impacts on those who depend on federal funding and protections, which undoubtedly affects those in rural areas. Also, Trump called on Democratic lawmakers to be tried for sedition after several veterans in the Democratic caucus urged military members to refuse to obey any unlawful orders they may be given. In response, Democratic members contacted the Capitol Police and the House sergeant-at-arms to protect lawmakers, while House Speaker Mike Johnson seemed to agree with Trump. As members of Congress were deciding on a vote to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein, Trump targeted individual Republicans who planned to vote for their release but then reversed course once the vote was finalized. Major policy shifts and stagnation at the federal level have led local governments to focus on policies that directly impact their communities. Local agencies have begun tackling issues surrounding wages, housing, and healthcare, with more on the horizon. As Trump’s mass deportation agenda unfolds, communities keep coming together, supporting their neighbors as advocates work on their behalf: The Supreme Court is set to review a controversial policy that would restrict people’s ability to seek asylum at the border when they present themselves to authorities, as required by international law. Border Patrol and ICE continue to target church communities, with reports emerging of plans to target churches with Spanish-speaking congregations between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Catholic communities and clergy members around the country are bearing witness and bringing hope and dignity to immigrants. Ignatian Solidarity Network staff note that “hundreds of people of faith gathered in a unified moral witness: immigrants and refugees are not alone, and the Catholic community must defend their dignity.”  The White House hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman as they continue working toward acceptance of the Abraham Accords amid unfolding international news: When questioned about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, President Trump grew defensive, attacking reporters who pressed him for accountability in the assassination widely attributed to Saudi Arabia’s leadership. U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (FL) is planning to host a large delegation from the Alternative for Germany Party (AfD) in Washington, D.C., as the far-right party continues to seek legitimacy at home and abroad amid an international wave of reactionary politics. In Ukraine, President Zelensky has informed U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll he’s open to working with the Trump Administration on a peace plan to end the conflict with Russia. Take Action While the U.S. government is shifting away from social programs that many constituents rely on, communities are reimagining their role in building the world they want to see. Apaga El Odio is running a campaign demanding Univision and Telemundo stop airing ads for DHS and ICE, which you can join here. The NEA is calling on Congress to intervene in saving the Department of Education. You can send a letter to your member here. What We’re Reading “Two and a Half Steps Towards a More Resilient Activism” | “Stories from Christians who didn’t burn out—and from a few who did.” (By Christine Jeske) “Chicago Is In A State of Holy Rage” | “Holy rage is what we feel when the powers and principalities of this world work against the world as God would have it.” (By Lindsey Joyce) Deep Breaths A LOVE SUPREME There are so many ways to express the love of God. Some express it through prayer. Others through dance. Throughout the ages, people have used music to interpret God's love in ways others might comprehend. Jazz great John Coltrane co-created the four-part masterpiece A Love Supreme with an extraordinary quartet in 1964. In four movements—Acknowledgement, Resolution, Pursuance, and Psalm—Coltrane transcends human language with a musical complexity that feels divinely inspired. The fourth movement is what Coltrane called a “musical narration,” or what author and musician Lewis Porter described as “a wordless expression.” Each note becomes a word. The words alone are beautiful... Yet when set to Coltrane’s melodious tenor sax, something happens. So today, I am sharing the words of John Coltrane as we enter the last Sunday of the liturgical year—acknowledging the reign of Christ in the church and in our lives. I have provided the link here for you to experience the words and music together. The video shows the very lyrics that Coltrane crafted and placed in front of him as he played. —Rev. Moya Harris, Senior Director of Programs, Sojourners A Love Supreme by John Coltrane I will do all I can to be worthy of Thee, O Lord. It all has to do with it. Thank You God. Peace. There is none other. God is. It is so beautiful. Thank You God. God is all. Help us to resolve our fears and weaknesses. In you all things are possible. Thank you God. We know. God made us so. Keep your eye on God. God is. He always was. He always will be. No matter what... it is God. He is gracious and merciful. It is most important that I know Thee. Words, sounds, speech, men, memory, Thoughts, fears, and emotions—time—all Related... all made from one... all made in one. Blessed be His name. Thought waves—heat waves—all vibrations, All paths lead to God. Thank You God. His way... it is so lovely... it is gracious. It is merciful. Thank you God. One thought can produce millions of vibrations, And they all go back to God... everything does. Thank You God. Have no fear. Believe. Thank You God. The universe has many wonders. God is all. His way... it is so wonderful. Thoughts—deeds—vibrations, All go back to God and He cleanses all. He is gracious and merciful. Thank You God. Glory to God... God is so alive. God is. God loves. May I be acceptable in Thy sight. We are all one in His grace. The fact that we do exist Is acknowledgment of Thee, O Lord. Thank you God. God will wash away all our tears. He always has. He always will. Seek Him every day. In all ways seek God every day. Let us sing all songs to God To whom all praise is due... Praise God. No road is an easy one, but they all go back to God. With all we share God. It is all with God. It is all with Thee. Obey The Lord. Blessed is He. We are all from one thing... the will of God... Thank You God. I have seen God—I have seen ungodly— None can be greater—none can compare to God. Thank You God. He will remake... He always has, and He always will. It’s true—blessed be His name—Thank You God. God breathes through us so completely... So gently we hardly feel it... Yet, it is our everything. Thank You God. Elation... Elegance... Exaltation... All from God. Thank You God. Amen. The Truth and Action Roundup is compiled by Sojourners staff: President: Rev. Adam Russell Taylor Senior Research Associate: J.K. Granberg-Michaelson Digital Content and Community Specialist: Kassandra Tapia Chief Program and Impact Officer: Bryan Epps Political Director: Chad V. Stanton Senior Program Director: Rev. Moya Harris Digital Education and Outreach Specialist: Cortnie Brooks Policy and Action Assistant: Trinity Williams Senior Director of Marketing: Sandra Sims Donate Subscribe Copyright © 2025 Sojourners. All rights reserved. Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842